annacat

Has anyone graduated from a MSN at Grand Canyon University? I am looking at it. I spent a ton of money on my BSN at a very highly regarded school and I don't want to spend that kind of money again ( I was so poor for so long!). Any pro's or cons of GCU would be welcome!

It is completely inadequate that at this time there is no required testing of chemo nurses for exposure. I have gotten complacent and thought it was funny to joke about it too. I am guilty of the same thing. But think about what we are joking about. Exposure to substances that can change your DNA and cause cancer. That is not funny at all when you really think about it. Also you speak with such conviction when you say that they couldn't possibly check our dna for changes by testing our blood. They can by swabbing our buccal mucosa. Take a DNA sample at hire date and take one every year after that that you continue to give chemo. Hopkins Did a test of the infusion area when I was there. Swabbing surface areas like chairs, desks, floor and found that chemo was present every where. Even though we used Phaseal devices and wore gowns and gloves etc. the chemo was everywhere! guess why? The patients sweat and vomit and blow there noses, and cry, and exude all kinds of body fluids and skin/hair cells constantly. All of these bodily products contain chemo. This goes on for years and years. We work in that environment for years. The patients and family members visit, but we practically live there. I value my health enough to question the status quo on this one. I am reconsidering my role as a nurse. I may end up opting out of Oncology to protect myself.

I don't think it hurts to call the manager. You will probably have to leave a message but there is always a chance that you will get them in person. They will want to know your most recent experience, be prepared to give them a 30 sec. intro to what you have to offer how many patient's per shift, special skills related to the position etc. If they are mean or rude to you just smile as you speak and apologize for bothering them. Most managers will be glad you called. They are juggling a million administrative tasks and the squeaky wheel gets the oil! They may really need to get a travel RN in but be up to their ears in other tasks. You saved them the time it takes to call you and possible not reach you and playing phone tag.

Either you are disorganized and lack follow through or your preceptor is a bully. You need to ask your self which is it. If your preceptor is a bully ask for another one. If you can't then maybe you need to either get help in managing a bully or find another job. If you are disorganized how can you change that? Do you need to spend extra time coming up with an organizational plan for yourself? If you lack follow through. How can you change that? Set reminders on your phone? check lists? How do you eat a tree full of apples? One bite at a time. ( I changed that from how do you eat an elephant because I find that to be totally distasteful and disrespectful to elephants).

The fact that no one has answered this question is disturbing to me as an Oncology RN. We should be tested annually for changes to our DNA and radiation levels. I feel that we are expected to hold a certain level of professionalism with certifications and such but that the companies who produce and sell the chemo should be required to give money to fund a centralized testing service for nurses who give chemotherapy. Anyone else feel this way?

Hi californianurse! Thanks for sharing. I recently found out that this is an option, am single with 0 dependents and it seems like a great way to make some money while seeing a part of the world that I have never seen! I am wondering what the rules are on paying taxes on income made in Saudi on your US taxes. I can't imagine that Uncle Sam would let us remain citizens in good standing without paying him some taxes. Let me know if you have any good websites or links regarding this issue. Thanks! annacat

I am signed up to take it in October. I have found very little information online about preparing for it. I have the Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice Book. Every time I pick it up to read it I find myself daydreaming about 1/2 way into the second paragraph. Dry is an understatement when it comes to the presentation style. It is very strange to me that the process for preparing to pass this course is so secretive, you would think that ONS is a top secret government agency charged with preventing us from passing the course! I know they don't want people cheating but considering that we want more nurses who are competent in the administration of chemotherapy/biotherapy and Everything that comes with it I would think that there would be a little more hand holding and encouragement coming from ONS. God help me, Because it doesn't seem like ONS is going to!

Wow! Thanks for the reply. That explains the low offer. I definitely don't want to take the LVN rate. I worked way to hard to get through my bachelors degree program and have excellent training from a very prestigious hospital. I will definitely not be settling and would rather take a hospital job and get paid a decent wage. I will see what I can do to work with them but if they won't come up I will be looking else where. I really appreciate your honesty!

I am an RN with a BSN and 5 years experience in Oncology and Neurosciences. I am interested in Home Health or Hospice Nursing. I just moved from Maryland to Orange County CA. Looking for basic guidelines for what sort of pay to expect starting out in Home Health Nursing in this area. Does anyone have any advice on where I can find this information? I have a job offer but it seems low for this area. I was definitely expecting to make more money in Orange County than I did in Baltimore.

1000 hours for the chemo/biotherapy certification or the OCN? I got the chemo/biotherapy certification right off the bat when I started as an oncology RN.

I have pushed vesicants through PIV's in the hand before without a problem. (Just be sure to check for blood return before, after, and every 2cc of push!) I have also had patients who's ports would be clotting every 2 weeks. Nothing is perfect but I do agree, as does the ONS, that central lines are much preferred in general for vesicant administration. Anyone who has seen the effects of vesicant extravasation would most likely agree. Sounds like you all need the support of those up the chain of command from you to influence the doctors who are resistant.

I agree, Chemocare.com is the place I go to get drug information for patients and to remind my self of the common side effects and precautions as well. It took me 2 years of Oncology nursing to feel up to taking the OCN exam, but I got my chemo/biotherapy certification right off the bat. Know your lab values, Heme 8 with differential and Comprehensive panel as well as electrolites. You will have computer access all the time so don't be afraid to google, wikipedia, or find another reliable site, I use these all the time and have not had trouble finding accurate info. Don't be afraid to ask the more experienced nurses for help. I have found that most of them love to share knowledge and are happy to help. But be careful, sometimes it has been a long time since an experience RN has reviewed current evidence based practice, so make sure you are getting accurate info. Good luck!

I worked in a very busy chemotherapy infusion center at one of the most renowned hospitals in the US. We tried to stay away from using the hand/wrist veins with chemo, especially when planning to infuse irritants or vessicants. It seems very strange to me that they want you to start with the hand. As far as the tourniquet goes I was under the impression that they are good for finding and accessing a vein but the shorter time you have them on the less stress is put on the vein that is already getting punctured and could blow with prolonged pressure and stress at the puncture site. It doesn't hurt to ask politely what their rational is. Maybe it was something specific to the patient you were accessing?

I am finding the above advice reassuring too! I am going to start on a BMT unit as a travel RN. I have 3 years experience giving chemo and blood products (and dealing with side effects) in a very busy outpatient infusion center. I haven't worked oncology in patient but do have experience working in a step down unit in the Neuroscience department. I had a anxiety dream last night that I went to my first day and didn't know how to use the computer system and got so far behind passing meds that I was reduced to tears. I am hoping reality is nothing like that dream! I have found that the Leukemia and lymphoma society is a really good source of information. Any more suggestions for where to get my info to study up on?

Did you put your housing wanted add on craigslist? If not where did you put it?